Brighton FPL Gameweek 30: Stats go in favour of Ansu Fati
With Brighton absent from FPL Gameweek 29 because of the FA Cup followed by a two week international break, it feels like an eternity since the Albion last played a Premier League fixture – in which time there has been plenty of talk around the output of Ansu Fati.
The debate continues to rage over whether Fati has been a good loan signing or a bad loan signing. We will come to what his FPL numbers tell us in a minute.
But first, let’s refresh the memory of what happened the last time Brighton were in league action. It was three weeks ago now when an own goal secured a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Amex. Three welcome points, a clean sheet and a result which lifted the Seagulls into eighth in the table.
Next up is a tricky trip to title chasing Liverpool. Not many sides have come away from Anfield with anything to show for their efforts this season, although the Albion can at least take some confidence from their recent record against the Redmen.
Since Roberto De Zerbi took over, Brighton are unbeaten in four matches with Liverpool across all competitions. The Albion have netted 10 times along the way.
With that in mind, here are a couple of interesting Brighton players for FPL managers to think about. Starting with that man Fati.
Ansu Fati (£6.4 million)
Brighton supporters judging Fati on whether his returns have lived up to the sky high wages he is being paid by Brighton standards are understandably disappointed so far.
Compare his numbers though to other Albion forwards and they actually stand up favourably. Of all the Brighton players with at least six league appearances, Fati has the best minutes per chance rate (22.8).
From just 524 minutes, he is on six big chances. This is the same as regulars Evan Ferguson (£5.7 million) and Simon Adingra (£5.0 million).
The risk for FPL managers considering Fati is that he comes with the possibility of playing low minutes. He has started more Europa League than Premier League games so far, including when netting in both games against Ajax.
Fati did, however, make the starting XI for the win over Forest. With Brighton looking to get maximum return on their investment in Fati over the remaining 10 matches, he is likely to receive more game time over the coming weeks.
This late stage of the FPL season is a time for managers to take calculated risks, knowing when to stray from the template. Fati can help with this through his huge differential potential.
Pascal Gross (£6.5 millon)
German international Gross is the only Brighton player with over FPL 100 points and he has cleared that hurdle by some distance.
His total of 132 puts him eighth amongst all midfielders, and he also ranks second overall for chances created (76).
Recent form has been particularly impressive, leading to Gross being voted WAB Brighton Player of the Month for February 2024.
With an assist for the own goal against Forest, he has grabbed an attacking return in five consecutive starts. Each occasion brought at least two bonuses, meaning these 44 points came at a rate of 8.8 per start.
Gross has set up 11 league goals for teammates, which sits joint-second behind Ollie Watkins (£9.0 million) over the whole campaign.
Captaincy
As Manchester City meet Arsenal in a big clash between two title contenders, it opens up a spot for alternative, rarely-used captains like Son Heung-min (£10.1 million) and Cole Palmer (£5.7 million).
Son is at home to Luton Town and although he had a quiet Gameweek 29, the preceding 11 matches saw him rack up 13 attacking returns.
The Spurs captain looks to be returning to the form that saw him share the Premier League Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah (£13.1 million) two seasons ago.
As for Palmer, Chelsea host struggling Burnley at Stamford Bridge. The 21-year-old is having a superb breakthrough year, bagging five goals and five assists in his last eight matches. He represents an absolute bargain at £5.7 million.
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